Despite organizations’ high cost of the effects of stress, most businesses usually help employees after they report suffering burnout instead of preventing it at its earliest stages.

One reason is because managers tend to believe there is little they can do about it until after it becomes a problem. Another contributing factor is that
managers are trained to focus on performance rather than the people they manage and are not trained to spot the signs of workplace stress. By not being
aware of the issue, managers fail to recognize that when their employees’ well-being is significantly increased through stress reduction, it can have
an immediate effect on employee engagement, productivity, and improved performance.

One simple way that innovative organizations today are initiating prevention and enhancing the well-being of their employees is by promoting mindfulness
in the workplace. Mindfulness can be described as becoming aware of the present moment, especially of one’s negative thought patterns. As disturbing
thoughts pop up in one’s moment-to-moment awareness, mindfulness allows a person to remain detached from the emotions of those thoughts, just observing
instead of reacting or judging, then returning one’s attention to the present moment. Over time, we train our brain to not be so reactive to
our stressful external circumstances and internal dialogue.

Scientific research on the neuroscience of attention continues to stack up in favor of mindfulness practice.

Many of the brain function and health benefits cited by current research include:

Improved resilience to stressful situations

Increased emotional intelligence

Improved focus

Enhanced immune system

Increased self-awareness

Enhanced memory

Increased empathy

Decreased anxiety and depression

Lower blood pressure

More joy

Mindfulness experts believe just 5 minutes a day of one of these mindfulness practices is enough to change the neuropathways in your brain and reduce workplace
stress by approximately 30 percent within 30 days.

Some well-known companies that have established their own corporate mindfulness programs include Google, Apple, Ford, General Mills, and Target.

Businesses are also focusing on developing mindful leaders because they tend to have more motivational impact on their employees – leaders who practice
mindfulness more effectively manage the change that is inherent in the corporate world and are better able to inspire their employees and colleagues
to achieve the organization’s vision.

Zoe offers a practical and approachable mindfulness program.

Offered by Kari Knutson, MA, this program offers numerous methods to help participants practice mindfulness with easy techniques that anyone can do from
the comfort of their car, while walking down the street, or in the middle of a meeting.

About the Author

Linda Anderson has been part of the Zoe Training & Consulting team
for the past 22 years and is committed to providing impactful training solutions to the organizations Zoe Training serves. She has served in many capacities
within Zoe Training such as staff writer, website content developer, and client account manager.

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Since 1983, Zoe Training and Consulting has offered one-stop access to training and development resources for organizations
and government agencies nationwide, providing one point of contact for more than 60 trainers, speakers, and
consultants.